Native American Heritage Fund Now Accepting Applications

Published April 27, 2019

Funds Available to Support Projects that Promote Positive Relationships with Michigan’s Indian Tribes

FULTON, Mich. — Michigan’s K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and local units of government are now eligible for funding through the Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) to defray the costs of projects that promote positive relationships and accurate information about the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans in the state.

Projects may include changing or revising curricula or improving program development, replacing or revising mascots or imagery that might be considered offensive to Native Americans, and replacing or revising government seals or images in public spaces. Nonprofit organizations that are undertaking a project on behalf of a K-12 school, college, university, or local unit of government are also eligible to apply for NAHF funding.

Application information is available online at www.calhouncountymi.gov/government/native_american_heritage_fund_board. Applications will be available beginning Friday, April 26, 2019. Applications are due to the NAHF Board by Friday, May 31, 2019, at 5 p.m. Please send applications via mail to Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott at 315 West Green Street, Marshall,
MI 49068 or via email to kdscott@calhouncountymi.gov.

The fund, which was approved in 2016 as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Gaming Compact between NHBP and the State of Michigan, allocates a portion of NHBP’s state revenue sharing payments to the NAHF.The NAHF Board is composed of NHBP Tribal Council Chairperson Jamie Stuck and Vice Chairperson Dorie Rios, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Vice Chair Kimberly Vargo, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Citizen Elizabeth Kinnart, and the Michigan Dept. of Civil Rights Tribal Liaison/Native American Specialist Melissa Kiesewetter.